“AT OUR MERCY”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 7

“AT OUR MERCY”

CHINA SEA CROSSED HISTORY MADE BY PLANES LEAFLETS ON JAPANESE CITY United Preaa Assn. —ETec. Tel. Copyright (Received May 21, 11 a.m.) HANKOW, May 20 For the first time in history Chinese warplanes crossed the China Sea, defied the warships’ fire, and dropped leaflets on Osaka and the naval bases of Sasebo and Nagasaki, assuring the Japanese people that China has no ernnlty to them and appealing to them to rise against the military Invasion of China. “ We have you at our mercy,” said the message. “ China Is strong and undefeated.” The flight of 1000 miles occupied 11J hours. The commander of the flight, comprising 27 planes, was Hsu Shun9han, who said Japanese warships fired without result. The flight reached Japan, circled the south-western Island, and dropped pamphlets. It did not encounter antiaircraft guns or pursuit by planes, though the cities were blacked out. SHANGHAI, May 20 The Chinese have captured Klnsian, and cheeked the Japanese drive on Kweiteh. Osaka Is an important city of central Japan, situated at the’ head of the gulf of the same name. It is the commercial centre of the empire.

A JAPANESE WARNING UNJUSTIFIABLE OPTIMISM (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 21. 12.30 p.m.) TOKIO. May 20 An official communique, while accusing the Chinese of exaggerating their successes, emphasises that premature optimism is unjustified and snvs that hostilities must be energetically pressed. 350,000 MEN ENTRAPPED THE FALL OF HSUCHOW ENTRY INTO THE CITY United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, May 20 Renewed? Chinese denials of the fall of Hsuehow and a Japanese claim that 50 Chinese divisions, totalling 350,000 men, have been trapped in the Japanese pincer movement following the capture of Hsuehow, are the chief items of this morning's conflicting news, says a message from Shanghai. The Japanese declare that the forces trapped include ten of Marshal Chlang Kai-shek’s crack divisions, six of which had previously escaped. It Is estimated that 7000 Chinese dead were found in Hsuehow and its environs. Countering the Chinese denials, the main Japanese forces arc reported to have made a triumphal entry into Hsuehow at noon, says a message from Tokio. Prince Kanin cabled congratulations to the commanders of the North and South Armies.